Second Engineer

Job role and responsibility - you are responsible for health and safety, maintaining, testing and diagnosing faults with all mechanical and electrical equipment including: propulsion equipment; steering equipment; on board pumping equipment and all other machinery aboard the vessel.

On vessels with an engine power of 750kw or more you will assist the Chief Engineer.

Career opportunities -

you can progress to Chief Engineer once you have achieved the MCA Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency (Fishing Vessel) Class 1. This is a statutory requirement for all Chief Engineers working on fishing vessels with an engine power of 750kw or more.

If you wish you can also move into related maritime industries such as the Merchant Navy, harbour tug boat work, ship and boat repair, fish processing, oil/gas exploration, support/stand-by vessels, cargo operations and ferries.

These industries recognise the expertise you have gained whilst working in the fishing sector and may provide you with further opportunities to develop your career.

Entry requirements -

if you are working on a fishing vessel with an engine power of 750kw or more there is a statutory requirement for the Second Engineer to hold the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency (Fishing Vessel) Class 2 and for the Chief Engineer to hold the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency (Fishing Vessel) Class 1.

To be eligible to sit for the MCA Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency Class 2, you must be over 19 years of age and meet the following criteria:

•    have completed a 6 week approved course on the operation and maintenance of machinery
•    have 2 years sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 100kw or more

or

•    full engineering apprenticeship and six months sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 100kw or more
or
•    full engineering apprenticeship followed by 3 months in the Merchant Navy or Royal Marines in an engineering capacity plus 3 months sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 100kw or more

or

•    30 months sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 100kw or more

and

•    pass the Engineer Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 2 Oral Examination
•    hold the Basic Fire Fighting, First Aid at Sea, Sea Survival and Safety Awareness Certificates
•    Advanced Fire Fighting Certificate
•    Medical First Aid Certificate

Candidates who have achieved the relevant VQ Level 3 are required to sit a less intensive MCA oral examination.

Qualifications and training opportunities -

Qualifications:
•    S/NVQs Marine Engineering Operations (Engineer Fishing) Level 3
National Training Programmes:
•    Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Fishing Vessel Engineering